Photo: Daxipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 (source: Wikimedia Commons)

Uini Atonio

ウイニ・アトニオ　/　ういに・あとにお

Rugby union player from New Zealand

March 26, 1990 (age 36)　・　Timaru, New Zealand

rugby union player

My Take

Atonio's story moves me more than most stat lines. Born in Timaru with Samoan roots, he built his career as a prop in the trenches of French rugby, anchoring La Rochelle and ultimately earning the France jersey on residency. That is the unglamorous, body-on-the-line work I have endless respect for; props rarely get the headlines they earn. His retirement at 35 after a heart attack in early 2026 lands hard, a sobering reminder of what collision sport asks of the people who play it. I hope he gets the long, quiet recovery he deserves, far from the scrum he gave so much to.

Overview

Uini Atonio (Samoan: [wini atoniːo]; born 26 March 1990) is a former professional rugby union player who played as a prop. He played most of his career for Top 14 club La Rochelle. Born in New Zealand, he represented France at international level after qualifying on residency grounds. He retired at the age of 35 due to a heart attack in January 2026.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

1. Profile

Name (English): Uini Atonio
Name (Japanese): ウイニ・アトニオ
Reading: ういに・あとにお
Born: March 26, 1990 (age 36)
Zodiac / Chinese zodiac: Aries / Horse
Origin: Timaru, New Zealand
Blood type: Private
Height: 197 cm
Agency: Private
Occupation: rugby union player

2. Background

Elementary school: Private
Junior high: Private
High school: Private
University: Private

3. Relationships

Spouse: Private
Children: Private
Parents: Private
Siblings: Private

4. Personality

Motto

Private

6. Links

Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/wiingi_26/
Xhttps://x.com/a_wingi
Wikipedia (Japanese)https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A6%E3%82%A4%E3%83%8B%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%83%88%E3%83%8B%E3%82%AA

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